Lauren Jackson, international basketball star and 3 times winner of the ‘most valuable player’ in the WNBL has joined the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) national conversation on progress at: www.abs.gov.au/about/progress/blog.

"What I would love to see in the future in Australia, are unity and acceptance of differences,” Lauren said. “I think it’s important being able to work together and live together peacefully."

She added it was also important to have "a good family environment where you are really supported and able to grow up in an environment that allows you to be who you want to be; and where you have the resources for education."

When asked to comment on the role of sport in national progress Lauren said "Sport gets kids out of the house and it puts them in an environment where they have to work with other people regardless of their gender, or their age or their religion. It’s one of the ways in which we can enrich kids’ lives in moving through into the future."

Lauren’s interview can be viewed on the Measures of Australia’s Progress (MAP) blog, where all Australians are invited to have their say over the next few weeks.

The basketball star joins Dick Smith, Mark Donaldson VC, Eva Cox, Michael Stutchbury and Richard Aedy, in commenting on national progress on the MAP Blog along with many everyday Australians.

Media notes:

An ABS spokesperson is available for interviews, including talk back requests.